Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) has won a contract to lease a B747-8i to the South Korean government as the country’s next presidential jet.
On May 29, the Korean Ministry of Defence said the aircraft would be leased for five years starting from November 2021 under a KRW30 billion won (USD242 million) contract. The aircraft will replace the incumbent B747-400.
The defence ministry said it issued three tenders in 2019, but no domestic companies responded. After discussions with local firms, Korean Air responded to an April round and signed a contract that covers the supply of the aircraft, pilots, crew, mechanics, and a backup aircraft.
The new presidential transport will start flying from November 2021 after a 19-month modification period which will include remodelling the interior and repainting the exterior. Other changes include installing self-protection and communications systems.
The five-year lease of the current B747-400 from Korean Air was due to expire in March this year but has been extended by another year and nine months, the defence ministry said. The previous contract was worth KRW141 billion (USD114 million), Yonhap reported.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (Seoul Gimpo) also flies a B737-300, four B737-700(BBJ)s, and a CN-235 for VIP travel.
Korean Air has two dozen B747s in its fleet, including three B747-400s, four B747-400ERFs, ten B747-8s, and seven B747-8(F)s, according to the ch-aviation fleets module.
